“We don’t know his location and he has the advantage of tree coverage,” Harri said. “He’ll be able to take us out as we get off the boat.”
“Then back to the island?” Richard asked.
“What about the other side?” Harri asked.
“He’ll be able to reach us there, but it’s a long hike. Without a boat, he won’t be able to get to us. He won’t swim out there. The water is too cold. I know Bobby.”
Another bullet pinged off the metal of the boat.
“Whatever we do, we have to do it now.”
Richard nodded and lifted his arm to the oar still attached to the boat.
“I’ll try to push us out.”
He maneuvered the oar to the bottom of the lake. It scraped the rocks beneath them and Harri felt the boat gently push away from the shore.
“How far will we need to go to be out of range?” Richard asked.
“I don’t know what kind of gun he’s using. It doesn’t sound like a rifle, though.” Harri said.
“Okay then,” Richard said and sat up.
“What are you doing?” Harri exclaimed.
“Getting us out of here,” Richard said.
Another gunshot whizzed by them. Richard doubled down on his effort to row. He blanched as he pushed and pulled and pushed and pulled. The boat was gaining speed. Harri peeked out over the boat’s side to see if she could see where Robert Payton was shooting from.
The beach looked empty.
Another shot rang out over the lake, but Robert’s aim wasn’t good. She didn’t hear the whizz as the bullet shot through the air.
“I think we’ve gotten out of range,” Harri said. She turned to look at Dan. “It’s okay to get up now Dan.”
He nodded but stayed curled up in a ball.
Harri left him like that and turned back to Richard.
“Did you see Robert?”
Richard shook his head.
“No,” he said. “The sound bouncing around the lake isn’t helpful, either.”
“No movement in the trees?”
“Too dark,” Richard said.
“We can stay on the island until morning,” Harri said.
And then what, she thought. She wasn’t convinced the island would be a sanctuary like Richard seemed to think. What if Robert Payton did decide to swim? None of them had a gun. They’d be stuck. Or they could take the boat out again. They just had to survive until morning. Then their options improved.
Harri winced as the pain in her body overwhelmed all her defenses. She gritted her teeth. She would be okay.
They would be okay.
37
Day 6 - Night
Jake and Gavin crashed through the low underbrush and took off down the barely visible trail. Gavin took the lead, his arms pumping, the shotgun swinging too close for Jake’s liking. Jake was right behind him, his Glock in hand. Within minutes, Jake’s breathing turned ragged. Gavin was obviously a runner and Jake was having difficulty keeping pace. As Gavin sped up, so did he. He would not be left behind in these woods.
Jake’s senses were firing on all cylinders.
Every single crack made his heart jump.
Every sound that came from the darkness around them made him involuntarily duck his head. He could barely see where he was going and trusted that Gavin was staying on course. The path beneath them was very faint and resembled more of an animal track than a proper hiking trail.
Tree roots jutting out of the ground made it impossible to run without constantly checking the trail. Gavin stumbled on one and Jake grabbed him hard so he wouldn’t topple over.
“How much longer do you think,” he hissed to Gavin.
Up to that point, Gavin had been doing a decent job of going around roots and not flinching at every sound that emanated from the woods. Until he almost ate it. Jake didn’t know what would have happened to that shotgun if he had.
“I think we’re close. I can see the moon reflecting on the water over there,” Gavin said pointing in the distance.
The man was barely breathing hard. Jake promised himself that if he got out of this alive, he would start running again.
“Here we are, here we are,” Gavin ground to a halt at the edge of a small beach.
He pointed to a large lake illuminated by the full moon with a small island right in the middle of it.
“How are we going to get there?” Jake asked.
A gunshot sounded in the direction of the island and the sound bounced around the big lake.
“The action is over there,” Jake said. “Harri and Dan must be on that island.”
“We gotta figure out some way to get out there,” Gavin said. He checked the time on his phone. “Backup isn’t arriving for another ten minutes, at least.”
“They could be dead by then,” Jake said grimly.
“I know,” Gavin said.
“Should we swim for it?” Jake asked.
“Do you know how cold that water must be?”
“Too cold to make it to the other side?” Jake guessed.
He knew water under 70 degrees Fahrenheit was too cold to be in for very long. And even if he was experienced at cold water swimming, which he wasn’t, he also wasn't in the best shape, as evidenced by his sprinting.
“We can’t swim,” Gavin shook his head.
“How did they get out there?” Jake asked.
“Had to have a boat somewhere,” Gavin said.
The full moon hung over the lake. Between the reflections and the ambient light, the open area was surprisingly light.
“There,” Jake said pointing. “See the metal. There’s our boat.” The small boat was sitting on the rocky beach of the island.
“That's not helpful,” Gavin said.
Thump Thump Thump.
The distant sound of a helicopter got louder and louder.
“The cavalry is early,” Gavin said.
38
Day 6 - Night
“We can get out now,” Harri tried again.
Dan Ledeyen sobbed at the bottom of the boat. The boy’s fear overwhelmed him, and he couldn’t move.
Richard tried next.
“We’ll be safer amongst the trees. I know you think you’re safe, but the beach is out in the open.”
Dan lowered his arm away from his face. He had dark circles under his eyes and his skin looked waxen, with a sheen of sweat reflecting the moonlight. He was in shock.
“Dan, you need to walk. It’s not good for your heart to be scrunched like that,” Harri said.
His body unfurled and he sat up. His gaze shifted to the faraway beach.
“Is he there?”
“We have a whole body of water between us,” Harri said although she wasn’t sure that was the case. “Let’s take cover.”
She offered her hand, and he took it.
“I don’t want to go back to that building,” Dan whispered.
“It’ll be warmer there,” Richard said.
Harri noticed that he was shaking.
“We can go to another part of the structure, but we should get inside. Richard, will you lead us?”
“If I can remember,” he said.
He led them through the trees. Harri couldn’t make out any discernible path, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t one. Dan walked silently next to her, sniffling off and on.
“We’re going to make it out of here,” Harri whispered to him.
“How can you be sure of that?”
Her eyes met Dan’s. His eyes were wide, and he wasn’t blinking.
“Because we’re survivors. All three of us,” Harri reassured him. “Because I told your mom and dad that I would bring you home, and I will. Because Richard is a survivor and he found us. Because you stayed clean after rehab, which means you want to get better. You want to survive. So, we are all getting out of here alive.”
Dan nodded his head. “You almost have me believing you.” His voice came out low, barely a whisper.
“Believe me.�
� She squeezed his hand in encouragement.
“Over here,” Richard’s voice called out ahead of them.
By stopping and speaking, Harri and Dan had fallen behind. The trees were dense, and the moon didn’t filter through much. They’d been walking in very dim light and with Harri’s pain, very slowly.
“Where are you?” Harri called out.
“Over here,” Richard’s voice sounded like it was coming from the left.
Harri and Dan walked through the trees towards Richard.
“One last time? Harri said.
“Over here,” Richard said. His voice was much closer.
“I see him,” Dan said.
He led Harri out of the trees and into a small clearing. Richard stood in the middle of it, his back to several small buildings surrounding a larger two-story building. It was impressive for such a remote location. The structures looked like log cabins. Very rustic. The boys must have been so excited to come here. Especially since many of them were from broken homes and foster care.
The completeness of the camp surprised Harri. It must have really been done well. “How many boys were here when you were?” Harri asked.
“There were eight of us. And Lauren. We all stayed in that building.” He pointed to the smaller building to the left. “All the videos were made in the mess hall. That’s what they called it,” Richard added.
“What was that building for?” Dan asked pointing to the smaller building on the right.
“Those were for the overnights,” Richard explained. “John and Paul organized those. And George was the one that got us,” Richard’s voice came out hollow.
“I’m so sorry we have to stay here,” Harri said. She couldn’t imagine how difficult being here must be for him.
“Let’s go there,” he said, pointing to the building he’d said they’d bunked in.
Harri and Dan followed Richard as he pulled open the door. The stench of mildew escaped into the fresh, clean air.
She gagged and pressed her fist to her mouth.
“It smells awful,” Dan said.
“It’s only for a couple more hours,” Harri said. “It must be after midnight by now.”
Richard reappeared. “We can’t stay in there. They left all the beds and things are growing in there.”
“Let’s do the mess hall then,” Harri said.
Richard nodded and headed towards the hall.
Suddenly, a soaking wet man stepped out of the shadows of the hall. Dan gasped, and Harri instinctively reached for her gun, which wasn’t there. In a flash, the man put a gun to Richard’s head.
“Hello, old friend.”
39
Day 6 - Night
Dirt and water whipped into Jake’s face as the police helicopter attempted to land on the small strip of beach. It was the third try as the first two had been unsuccessful. Jake was dripping wet from all the lake water whipped up by the intense wind created by the helicopter blades. His teeth chattered as the helicopter inched closer and closer to the ground.
POP!
POP!
Jake’s heart thumped as he heard the shots. What was happening on that island? Was Harri trying to take down whoever held Dan or was it the other way around?
The helicopter door opened, and the pilot waved them inside. Jake picked his way around the rocks and climbed aboard. Gavin was already yelling and gesturing toward the island.
Jake buckled up in the small back seat. Gavin stayed up front with the pilot. The helicopter took off and Jake’s stomach flopped around like a dying fish on a dry dock. He hated flying in helicopters. His motion sickness activated immediately.
He gripped the seat with both hands and held on. The lake below them was like glass, sharp, and beautiful. The loud THUMP THUMP THUMP of the helicopter blades drowned out any other sounds during their short journey.
The helicopter descended towards the rocky shore and Jake fought not to puke. He unbuckled his seatbelt, ready to disembark the moment the helicopter touched ground.
Jake was thrown forward as the pilot hit the beach with too much velocity.
“Sorry about that,” the pilot called back.
Jake waved him off, already on his feet, and opening the door. He jumped down onto the rocky beach. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gavin do the same. With his Glock poised and ready, Jake stalked into the woods, listening for any sounds that could tell him where the fight was happening. As he walked further away from the helicopter, he heard screaming. He picked up his pace.
“Slow down, Jake. We don’t know where the shooter is,” Gavin called to him.
Jake knew that, but he still plunged in, all his thoughts on Harri.
40
Day 6 - Night
Harri urged Dan to move, but Robert Payton must have seen her small gesture.
“Don’t even think of running, bitch. He’ll be dead on the spot and I’ll pick you both off before you can reach my boat.”
She’d seen him before. It was the man from the mall who’d picked out clothes for a boy already dead.
“I've seen you before. At the mall,” she said.
Keeping the gun pointed at Richard’s head, Robert Payton turned to her.
“You didn’t react to the gifts I left in your room.”
“So, you were following me.”
Harri wanted to pull his focus, to keep it on her. As long as he was looking at her and talking, she knew Richard and Dan had a fighting chance.
“I was leaving the mall when I saw you,” he said. “I didn’t realize you’d be buying new clothes so soon. I saw an opportunity and I took it.”
“You chose those clothes, the red sweater, and khakis for Alan Prentiss,” Harri said. “You did that, so I’d know it was you. That was quite a risk.” Harri acknowledged.
If she kept him talking, then she might get an opportunity to disarm him. She let go of Dan’s hand.
“I wanted you to see me,” Robert said.
“Why?” Harri asked as she inched closer.
Richard struggled and Robert viciously yanked him back. Dan stood frozen where he was, his eyes on Robert and Richard.
“Because you finally made the connection, Harriet.” Robert snickered. “You finally figured it out about the camp and what happened here. You came every year to look for your sister and yet you had no idea. You never had a clue the answer was right under your nose.”
“Why did you kill Chris Becker?” Harri asked.
“I didn’t kill Chris Becker. He wasn’t one of mine,” Bobby said.
Harri wasn’t sure if she should believe him or not. She tried another gambit.
“You could have come to me,” Harri said, keeping her eyes on his gun. “You didn’t need to kill those boys.”
As Robert spoke, the gun swayed around Richard’s head. She could use her body to push him away from Richard if she could get close enough. The pain in her shoulder screamed, but she pushed it back, all her focus on Richard.
“I wasn’t a bad boy, but I was punished.”
“What did that have to do with me?” Dan suddenly screamed.
“I was going to make you clean and nice,” Robert said.
His voice had changed. The pitch increased slightly. Harri waved her hand behind her back trying to get Dan to stop talking. She wouldn’t be able to control the situation if Dan got Robert angry.
“What does that mean?” Harri asked calmly.
“He mouthed off to me,” Robert told Harri as if he was reporting Dan’s misbehavior. “He mouthed off to me, his Professor. He has no respect for authority. Look what he’s put his parents through? Look how he treats his own body.”
Robert spoke directly to Dan. “I was going to teach you a lesson so the same thing wouldn’t happen to you,” Robert said.
“Why did you kill Atticus Menlo?” Harri asked, hoping to steer the focus away from Dan.
Harri met Richard’s eyes. Her eyes moved to Robert then back to Richard. He nodded his head. She hoped he understo
od she’d try to take her chance whenever she found an opening.
“I couldn’t make him clean,” Robert explained.
“Clean like you became clean. After what happened here?” Harri asked.
Robert’s face screwed up in anger.
“I will never be clean,” Robert said vehemently. “This place. You don’t understand. They did things to us and we will never be the same.”
Robert jerked Richard back again. “Those boys had a chance, and they didn't take it. They didn’t understand that when you get a chance, you have to take it. You won’t get another chance. They were mouthy and didn't deserve…” He stopped.
“Deserve what?” Dan spewed.
The anger in his voice was palpable. He was cracking. If Dan put himself in harm’s way, then Harri was stuck. She couldn’t take the chance of throwing herself at Robert if Dan could get hurt.
Harri put her hand up to stop Dan’s movement forward.
“Do you know why they killed my sister?” Harri asked. “Richard told me some of it,” she added, keeping her voice as calm as possible. “But maybe he doesn’t know the whole story?”
Robert hesitated. He looked at Richard and then back at Harri. This is what he claimed he wanted.
“Something happened to their operation,” Robert said. “I heard them yelling to each other. They needed to clear out but couldn’t decide what to do with us. Your sister was a big problem for them. No one would believe us. We were delinquents, throwaways. But your sister…”
Everyone was quiet for a moment. Harri heard something far off in the distance. In the quiet of the woods, she thought she heard what sounded like a helicopter. She listened again, but the sound was gone.
“They had to kill her,” Richard continued. “Lauren never tried to escape before. No matter what they did to her. All they ever had to do was threaten one of us and she always did whatever they said. But she convinced us to run that night.”
“All except for Tanner. He was small and too scared,” Richard added.
The Hidden Grave (Harriet Harper Thriller Book 2) Page 19
